Location: Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Setting: Mountain top villa
Wedding season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 16 months
Number of guests: 125
Wedding theme/style: Boho with a modern touch, minimalist, forest.
Danielle and William were long-time college friends, and then, during their final spring break, love sparked. They dated for 7 years before tying the knot at a breathtaking location in the middle of a rainforest on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.
The proposal took place in Milwaukee on the lakefront, directly across the lake from our favorite spot in Michigan, which is also the beach where William first asked Danielle to be his official girlfriend. “I was completely shocked; he had all of our family and friends there and planned a huge engagement party at our house following!” — the bride shared.
From the beginning of the planning process, they had a clear vision of what they wanted: an epic wedding weekend that exceeded their expectations, and that is exactly what they had.
The weekend started off with an intimate rehearsal dinner at a rainforest villa with their closest family and friends. The next day, the couple and their wedding guests took a charter boat trip to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
Hacienda Siesta Alegre is located right in the center of El Yunque, also known as Puerto Rico’s National Rainforest. The place has multiple horse stables and a mountaintop villa that serves as the destination for the wedding. “Our venue is also a dream come true – an absolute fairytale,” said the couple.
The bride knew she wanted an MWL dress but was not sure which one at first. She originally thought lace, but this changed when she saw the detail of the low back with the cowl and the buttons down the back: “Absolute perfection and so timeless,” she said.
William’s beige suit with a terracotta bow tie fully complemented the bride and the entire wedding palette.
After a photo session with their wedding party, Danielle and William met for the first look – a tender moment before festivities.
The photographers Natasha & Rey from Phosphilic have an exceptional ability to capture natural colors and light, making each photo feel alive and vibrant. The entire wedding album tells a compelling story of this day, with every moment captured from unique angles, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the setting — a testament to their rare talent.
They said “I Do” during sunset, under a light drizzle of rain, surrounded by their loved ones and a beautiful set of mountains in the background. “That said, rain was expected, but I didn’t expect to love it so much. When I walked down the aisle, there was slight rain with a rainbow at the end of the aisle,” shared the bride.
After the ceremony, Danielle and William went for a walk under the warm rain around the villa’s territory.
For the reception, the setting was very cozy and romantic. The bride was fully inspired by the venue: she wanted her guests to feel amazed by the decor elements but also in awe of the beauty of the rainforest itself. With the help of a wedding planner, they used tones of cream and terracotta, which blended perfectly with the greenery of the setting. They also decided to incorporate luggage tag seating tags instead of traditional escort cards and modern menu cards.
The celebration started with a champagne tower and lively toasts for the newlyweds. After the cake cutting, the couple had their first dance and invited guests to join them on the dance floor. “The last song of the night was memorable. It poured down on our dance floor, and we danced in the middle of our loved ones. It was absolutely incredible!” concludes the bride.
Advice from couple:
• Enjoy every second! My only regret was the stress I had the week leading up to the wedding. I wish I would have taken it all in and just trusted the process. Looking back I wish I would have soaked it all in stress and all – it goes way too fast!
PHOTOGRAPHER Phosphilic | VIDEOGRAPHER Amorfosis | PLANNER & DESIGN Alexa Blanco | VENUE Hacienda Siesta Alegre | FLORAL Lorraines Flowers | MUAH Neidaliz Garcia | DRESS Made with Love Bridal | CATERING Food Design Rebecca, Toque Di Leña | CAKE Sabe a Gloria | BAR Mich Bar | DJ Eric
